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The Healing Kitchen - Cook and Connect

Learn how cooking can reduce stress, boost happiness, and create a space for social connection.

Please make the Learner Support Team aware of any specific dietary requirements prior to the course start date.

Course description

Explore your health and wellbeing through cooking simple, healthy, and cost-effective recipes in a calm, welcoming space. 

Each week you’ll prepare dishes like soups, naan bread, fajitas, or homemade pasta sauces – all designed to be cooked and enjoyed in under an hour. After cooking, you'll sit and eat together, creating time for healing conversation — warm, nurturing discussions that help break down barriers, reduce feelings of loneliness, and offer space to share experiences and feel connected to others.

You will:

  • Feel more freedom, independence, and autonomy knowing you can eat well on a budget.
  • Gain confidence in the kitchen by preparing dishes like quiche, stir-fries, and jacket potatoes with healthy toppings.
  • Explore ways to lead a healthier lifestyle through everyday meals.
  • Reduce stress and increase focus by turning cooking into a creative and enjoyable activity.
  • Connect with others and reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation through shared meals and conversation.
  • Build positive routines by preparing food at the same time each week.
  • Learn recipes to take home and share with family and friends.

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Course level

First Step - These courses are for complete beginners. You don't need to have studied the subject before or have any previous knowledge.

Who is this course for?

Residents of Calderdale aged 19+ who want to improve their mental or physical health and wellbeing and learn how to live a happier lifestyle.

First Step – The start of your learning journey. Explore how you can build your confidence, connect with others, and learn new skills to start achieving your goals. 

What do I need to bring?

  • A container to take the food home in.

You will use Google Classroom throughout your course to view work from your lessons, receive messages from your tutor, and access online resources. You can access this on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop/computer. Your tutor will support you to log-in during your first lesson, and the Learner Support team is always on hand to help with any issues. 

Health and wellbeing

Course information

Start date:: 18th December 2025
Time: 4pm to 6pm
Day: Thursday
Venue: Heath Campus

Course length: 12 weeks
Course code: EN00240
Course level: First Step

Fees

Full fee: £120
Fee waiver available: Yes
Additional costs: No

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Additional information

Learning delivery method

We have the skills, resources and dedication to help you access the learning you need to enrich your life.

Your course will be delivered by a highly qualified, experienced and knowledgeable tutor via:

  • The classroom, face-to-face teaching at Heath Campus or other venues in Calderdale.
  • Also, Google Classroom will be used to access:
    • electronic learning resources;
    • coursework set by your tutor;
    • collaborative work;
    • and online sessions, if needed.

What we expect from you

You must do various learning activities so we can make sure you are making the expected progress. This is because:

  • your course is funded in full or part by the Government via the West Yorkshire Combined Authority;
  • and all Calderdale Adult Learning (CAL) learning is subject to Ofsted inspection.

You may need to do extra work outside of session times to extend your learning or comprehension, where needed. Also, you are expected to be:

  • punctual;
  • attend regularly;
  • and show commitment to achieve successful completion of the course.

Important: You may lose your place, if:

  • your attendance drops below 88%;
  • or you do not attend three classes in a row and have not informed CAL.

How you will know if you are making progress

An Initial Assessment activity at the start of the course will enable your tutor to assess your starting point.

  • For non-accredited learning this will be completed using a set tutor assessment relevant to the subject area.
  • For accredited courses this requires learners to complete an assessment on the BKSB learning platform.

In every class we acknowledge and accommodate for different levels of skill and experience. This is so learners will be encouraged to identify and work on their own areas for improvement.

You will have a 'Learner Journey' with your tutor. Here, you will set the learning targets that you want to meet.

During the course, you will have the chance to:

  • discuss your progress with your tutor;
  • complete regular assessments;
  • and be given feedback, both verbal and written, on work that you produce.

Support for your progression and next steps

Please refer to:

  • the advice given to you by your course tutor towards the end of your course;
  • or speak to CAL's IAG Officer for information on how you can progress.

For our latest courses, see: Adult Learning.

If you need support in literacy, numeracy, IT or employability skills, please speak to your tutor in the first instance.

Information, advice and guidance

CAL Service has been awarded the matrix Standard, the national quality standard for organisations delivering IAG on learning and work.

We aim to help learners progress through their chosen course of study. Tutors, learning support staff and our IAG Officer can help you decide if a course is right for you. If it is not, we will aim to put you in touch with another provider.

For more detailed and specific careers advice, we work in partnership with the Education Development Trust.

You can also contact the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900. Their website is also an excellent source of information on careers, finding a job, courses and learning: National Careers Service.

Contact us

Calderdale Adult Learning:

Address:

  • Heath Campus, Unit 4, Free School Lane, Halifax. HX1 2PS.

Phone:

Email:

Office hours:

  • Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm.
  • Fridays from 9am to 1pm.

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